Car Rental in Bordeaux

Why rent a car in Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is a great place to explore by car. Not only an interesting city in its own right, it is also the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine province, the center of the Bordeaux wine region, and the best access point for much of the Southwestern France.

Top ways to enter Bordeaux

• Bordeaux Airport: Located close to the city center, Bordeaux Airport serves flights to and from many destinations in Europe, as well as in North Africa, the Middle East, and the North America.
• Bergerac Airport: About an hour and a half’s drive away from Bordeaux, this regional airport mainly hosts flights to the United Kingdom, as well as to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
• Public transportation: If you arrive in Bordeaux by train, it is convenient to pick up a rental in Bordeaux Train Station.

City facts

• The main language of Bordeaux is, like elsewhere in the country, French. The knowledge of English varies, but many people working in the service industry speak it. 
• Bordeaux enjoys hot summers, but winters can get cold at times because of winds coming from the Atlantic. January, the coldest month, has the average temperature of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F), while the mean temperature in the warmest month, August, is 21.4 °C (70.5 °F).

Top sights and activities

• Les Quais. Guaranteed to feature in virtually every tourism video of it, the quay is one of those attractions you simply have to visit if you’re coming to Bordeaux. The historical harbor area encompasses a large urban portion of the Garonne River and is also often called the Port of the Moon. In addition to a waterfront, the quay – which is a UNESCO World Heritage site – is home to many of Bordeaux’s most famous landmarks. Speaking of which…
• Place de la Bourse. Its name, translated from French, is rather prosaic – it simply means the Stock Exchange Square – but all the same, this is one of the most famous areas of Bordeaux. Located in the historical city center, it was developed in the mid-18th century and has been one of the symbols of the city ever since. The square, which is home to several cultural institutions, as well as statues of Ancient Roman gods, Minerva and Mercury, is especially lovely to visit after dark.
• The Museum of Bordeaux Wine and Trade. This unique museum is the best place to learn about Bordeaux’s main industry and its origins, old trade routes, wine-making techniques, and present state.
• Bordeaux Cathedral. Also known as the Primatial Cathedral of St. Andrew, this is the most important — and probably the most impressive — religious building in Bordeaux. Dating back to at least the 9th century (the year it was built is still uncertain), the church was initially constructed in the Romanesque style, but later renovations added a significant Gothic element to its look. Notable for its nave, the cathedral is as impressive from the inside as it is from the outside.
• This is just a taste of things you to do in Bordeaux — you can find even more in this guide to Bordeaux.

Traffic and parking

• The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Unlike with inter-city roads, the urban speed limit is unaffected by weather.
• Outside cities, as of July 2018 the speed limit depends on the type of the road. Highways are limited to 130 km/h, 4-lane expressways to 110 km/h, and 2- or 3- lane roads to 80 or 90 km/h. During the rain the limits are respectively lowered to 110 km/h, 100 km/h, and 80 km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50 km/h during heavy fog or other cases of bad visibility.
• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• As of 2018, hands-free mobile phone use is banned in France and the fines are hefty.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the main highways in France (autoroute in French) are toll roads. Their names start with letter A and you can recognize them by a red number sign. The fare for taking a toll road depends on the specific route, the distance length, as well as the type of your vehicle - trailer cars and caravans have to pay more than regular cars. You can pay by a credit card or by cash. You’ll be given a ticket that you have to keep while on the toll road.

Some rental cars are equipped with toll road transporters and can use the automatic toll road payment booths (Télépéage). Ask your rental car provider to find out if they offer cars with toll road transporters.

See the official French toll road website for more information. Use the website's toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route.

Ideas for day trips

• Wine tour. There are many organized tours that you can join, but having your own car lets you explore the nearby villages, vineyards, and chateaus by yourself. The Medoc region is perhaps the best place to start, with famous places such as Château Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Château Margaux, and Chateau Mouton Rothschild all in close proximity to one another. If you were the designated driver for a visit to Medoc, don’t despair - you can switch places with your travel companion and pay a visit to the Graves region, which has some of the oldest vineyards in all of the Bordeaux area.
• Atlantic Coast. Bordeaux is located very near the Atlantic Coast, and there are many interesting places you can visit. The nearby town of Arcachon is famous for its oysters, but the nearby villages are just as charming. If you’re up for a longer trip, go all the way south to Bayonne and Biarritz, places that offer some of the best surfing in the whole of Europe.
• Saint-Emilion. Historically inhabited by the Romans and hermit monks, this small village is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Notable for its ancient sites and beautiful churches, Saint-Emilion is also one of the main wine destinations in the region — the winemaking traditions here are at least 1,900 years old. The drive from Bordeaux takes about 50 minutes.
• Angoulême. Known as the Balcony of the Southwest, Angoulême is one of the finest historical destinations in this part of the country and, therefore, also one of the most popular day trip destinations from Bordeaux (the drive takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes). Known for its vast green spaces, as well as many churches and other heritage architecture, it’s a splendid city for long walks – and it also boasts some amazing restaurants.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in France is the Renault Twingo, but travelers also love the Volkswagen Polo and the Ford Fiesta. The most popular rental car types are economy,  compact and mini.

Further destinations

• Biarritz. A lovely coastal city in the so-called French Basque country, right on the border with Spain, Biarritz is known for its interesting architecture, beautiful beaches, and arguably the best surfing in all of France. The neighboring town of Bayonne, located a few kilometers inland, is a historical gem. The drive from Bordeaux to Biarritz will take about 2 hours and 1 minutes.
• Occitanie. Most of the visitors excited about Southern France head straight to the Cote d’Azur where tourist hotspots such as Nice and Cannes await. Those looking for a slightly more off-the-beaten-track adventure could certainly do worse than visit the western portion of the French Mediterranean coast and the region of Occitanie known not just for its beaches, but also for rich culture, delicious cuisine and historical cities such as Carcassonne and Toulouse. The latter – the capital of the region – is less than a three-hour drive from Bordeaux.
• Brittany. Located north of Bordeaux and Nouvelle–Aquitaine, Brittany is another region very much worth exploring. Known for its native Celtic Breton tongue and unique culture, the westernmost part of France is also recognizable for its wild, rugged beaches and well-preserved architecture. The city of Nantes, historically considered a part of Brittany and still a gateway to the peninsula, takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to drive to from Bordeaux.
• Pyrenees. Lying along the border with Spain, the Pyrenees mountain range is one of southern France’s most popular travel destinations. Although not as high as the Alps in the east, they are home to a special atmosphere and some of the most panoramic driving routes and hiking trails in Europe. The city of Pau, one of the gateways to the mountains and the fabulous Pyrenees National Park, is only a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Bordeaux.
• Northern Spain. Only a few hours drive south of Bordeaux, the northeastern part of Spain is another fascinating region that’s within your reach. Home to imposing mountains, rugged beaches, famous cities like Bilbao and Pamplona, and the unique Basque culture, exploring this part of France’s southern neighbor can be a very rewarding experience. Although there are no border checks between the two countries as both are part of the Schengen area, do ask your rental car provider in advance to make sure they permit you to cross into Spain.

Car rental prices in Bordeaux

• Small cars - from $37 per day
• SUVs - from $45 per day
• Large cars - from $16 per day
• Medium cars - from $14 per day
• Premium cars - from $27 per day
• Vans - from $78 per day
• Station wagons - from $52 per day
• Convertibles - from $72 per day

Money-saving and other tips

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Bordeaux:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Bordeaux is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 29% cheaper than the yearly average.